Paxton 2001 Shiraz will retail for about $36 but will sell via mail order from CD at about $30 and should be released in July 2003. The wine spent 18 months in oak, a combination of French (55%) and American; total new component was 50%. The vines are 40 years old and cropped at two tonnes per acre. 

More floral notes than the 2000 but still shows blackberry, chocolate, liquorice and leafy minty characters. On the palate the flavour profile is interestingly complex with great tasting savoury chocolate, cherry and blackberry, it’s a pretty ‘slick’ palate. The smooth but dusty tannins, pure deep persistent fruit of ample weight provides a solid structure and foundation that is almost seamless. Complexity is harmonious, well developed and refined. Rated as Excellent with *** for value it should peak about 2006. Now of this should come as a surprise to anyone who has been to McLaren Vale and has seen how much vineyard acreage that the Paxton’s own.